Video: Clayton Camp Offers Kids A Look At History

Two dozen children filled the Clayton House and lawn Friday morning, proving that history is both alive and fun while spinning, churning and learning about the past.

Two dozen children filled the Clayton House and lawn Friday morning, proving that history is both alive and fun while spinning, churning and learning about the past.

Each month during the summer, the Clayton House hosts a one-day camp for children ages 7-14 in which children — and often parents, too — learn what life was like in the 1800s for the family of U.S. Attorney William Henry Harrison Clayton and their Fort Smith neighbors. Friday’s camp offered children a look into the daily tasks of a Victorian family.

“I think parents are excited about these real opportunities to see what took place in homes back then,” said Julie Moncrief, Clayton House executive director. “That’s really what the Clayton House is all about; it’s living history, and we’re very happy that we’ve got this authentically restored home in which to help people have that kind of fun and education.”

Children played a number of Victorian lawn games, letting squeals, laughter and badminton birdies fly.

“I think it’s cool that the games are from the 1800s, not just modern games,” said Paige Curry, 9.

“Because it’s like we play baseball, and they played badminton,” said her friend, Ellie Tranthan, also 9.

“We play toss the ball, and they played toss the ring!” Paige echoed.

The girls tossed a ribbon-wrapped ring across the lawn using only a pair of wooden sticks.

Inside the home, the campers toured each room, stopping in the upstairs foyer to see Richard Shotzman spin an antique spinning wheel. The children’s eyes lit up as he showed them how to pull the wool, then slowly how to spin it on the wheel. After spinning a strand of yarn, Shotzman urged Moncrief to give it a try, and with a chorus of “yeah, Miss Julies,” she did.

“We’re lucky about volunteers stepping up to share their talents,” she said, “and we’re going to use that.”

After creating a yarn craft, the children learned about the cooking and cleaning of the 1800s. They washed clothes in a Victorian washer, churned butter and shelled corn. Then they were ready to sit down with a cup of tea and cornbread.

Debbie Peters, who brought her daughter to the camp, explained that she wanted to give her daughter the hands-on experience of the past.

“I’m just happy for her. I really enjoy seeing her happy, the smile on her face, the brightness in her eyes, it’s just wonderful,” Peters said, as her daughter gleefully jumped to swat a badminton birdie.

The third and final Clayton Camp of the summer will be an end-of-summer tea, said Moncrief. Spots at the camp may be reserved by calling (479) 783-3000, or by visiting the Clayton Camp website at www.claytonhouse.org/events/clayton-camp and registering online.